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Architecture Students Win Design Awards

Fourth-year architecture students were recently honored for their designs by the Middle Tennessee Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and Brewer Ingram Fuller Architects.

The Brewer Ingram Fuller Sustainable Design Award was presented to fourth-year architecture students Austin Fleming, second from right, and Beasley Chantharath, far right. Also pictured are Jennifer Akerman, left, assistant professor in UT’s School of Architecture, and Tyler Puryear, second from left, Brewer Ingram Fuller Architects.

The students were challenged to design a 30,000-square-foot facility for commercial or mixed use. Students had to integrate conceptual and schematic design into their projects and demonstrate a solid understanding of building systems, including structural, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing.

A model created by Austin Fleming and Beasley Chantharath was part of the students’ award-winning entry for the 2015 Brewer Ingram Fuller Sustainable Design Award.

The competition required students to satisfy a minimum of a silver rating in LEED criteria, a green building certification program developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. Designs also had to adhere to metrics provided by the AIA Committee on the Environment.

The students’ range of designs included a culinary school, museum, housing, and more.

Architects from Brewer Ingram Fuller awarded the Sustainable Design Award to Austin Fleming and Beasley Chantharath. The duo was led by Kevin Stevens, lecturer in the College of Architecture and Design. The team received $1,000 to defray costs associated with study materials and testing fees for the LEED Green Associates examination.

The American Institute of Architects Middle Tennessee Chapter awarded UT architecture students first place in a design competition Dec. 3. The student team included Jonathan Ruiz, fourth from right, William Harvell, second from right, and Johnna Coetzee, far right. Also pictured from left to right are Adam Nicholson, Justin Lowe, and John Tettleton, AIA Middle Tennessee jurors; Carol Pedigo, AIA Middle Tennessee, in red jacket; and James Rose, UT senior lecturer and adjunct assistant professor, third from right.

The award was established by an endowed gift from Brewer Ingram Fuller Architects in Knoxville, which was founded by UT School of Architecture alumni Dan Brewer (’77), Lee Ingram (’76), and Anthony Fuller (’76). The purpose of the award is to encourage architecture students to incorporate sustainable design strategies into their work to be better prepared to lead the field of sustainable design when they enter the profession.

AIA Middle Tennessee awarded first place to Johnna Coetzee, William Harvell, and Jonathan Ruiz, a team led by James Rose, senior lecturer and adjunct assistant professor. The team received $1,500. Brian Lam and Spencer McCarty from Bob French’s studio received second place and $500.

“The reason we’ve invested in the university since 1992 is to build a bridge for students to engage with architects in practice and to continue communication with faculty,” said Carol Pedigo, executive director of AIA Middle Tennessee. “Over the years of supporting this student competition, we’ve given close to $50,000 to support students and the college.”